I was on a jury in 1980. At the start the judge cautioned everyone not to discuss the case with their family or friends each night.

On the first day I heard the charges against the defendant and the whole thing seemed obvious — he had stolen something and run away. On the second day I heard the police give testimony and it seemed clear they were hiding something. On the third day it turned out that the defendant had a previous criminal record for something similar. Etc.

Luckily I had kept quiet each evening, against my worser nature, and I realized what a good thing it was I’d held my tongue. If I’d told anyone what I was thinking each day I would have perhaps painted myself into a corner that would have made it difficult to announce a change of mind the next day for fear of embarrassment. In the end we acquitted for lack of proof.